ANDY’S ALMANAC
8192 Davison Road – P.O. Box 386 – Davison, Michigan 48423
Church Office – 810-653-6824 – www.standrewsdavison.org Issue 8 – Volume X AUGUST 2010
A WORD FROM THE PASTOR:
Dear Church Family:
We could consider two thirds of the summer to be over – OR – we could consider one third of the summer yet to be enjoyed. One is filled with memories and perhaps with some regret – the other is filled with many possibilities called “opportunity”. What will YOU do with the month of August?
Our extended church family currently has (or soon will have) four individuals serving in Iraq/Afghanistan. They are: Jarred Dunton, Niccole Dunton, (both grandchildren of Carol Dunton), Evan Williams (grandson of Kathy Williams), and Michael Zahm (son of Sharon and Larry Dewley). On Sunday, August 1 we will share a time of special prayer for them – and for their families. Please remember them faithfully in your prayers.
Speaking of servicepersons, Matt and Aon Princinsky and, of course, Elena are now back in Washington (state) and trying to get settled in to their new home. We need to continue to pray for them as well, as Matt continues his service to our country.
And – there are others – let us each be faithful in remembering them in our prayers. Another way we remember them is through our gifts to My Heart Supports the Troops – the box is on the piano in Calvin Hall and all kinds of personal items, books, game books, socks, etc are welcome. Snacks, too! While they may not go directly to those from St. Andrew’s (although they might) – our troops receive things from other congregations and organizations. You are a most generous congregation. Keep up the good work!
Our prayer list seems to be growing recently – and we have had a number of individuals in and out of the hospital – and several have recently had cataract surgery. Your prayers and cards and phone calls and visits – continue to be a source of strength, encouragement and healing. You do that exceedingly well!
A question was raised about standing at St. Andrew’s. Why do we stand for the Gospel lesson? Why do we stand so much during worship? We stand for the Gospel lessons because it is one of the highlights of the service. If you have a “red-letter” New Testament (with the words of Jesus in red – you will see that much of the Gospels fall in that category). So reading the Gospel lesson is like having Jesus with us – speaking directly to us. Every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection – Gospel means Good News – and so we treat it with great celebration. It is something which has been observed in almost every Presbyterian (and Reformed Church of America) I have attended or been a part of the staff.
Please remember we are “invited” to stand for hymns and for the Gospel – and we understand some individuals simply cannot stand. That is not a problem or an issue. If you must or need to remain seated – that is perfectly fine.
August – ENJOY!
Your pastor,
Bob
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Musically Speaking … “Lessons Learned”
August 2010
You may recall late last fall I shared with you that we had a significant number of trees removed from our backyard. I mentioned that it would be interesting during 2010 to see how our garden, flowering plants and grass responded to more sunlight, etc. Boy did I underestimate the results of better air flow, more hours of direct sunlight and rain on “everything”, including the weeds and wildlife – just as we benefit from having direct exposure to “The Son”. Hold that thought!
There’s a beautiful old hymn “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer”. I’ll have to dig it out of my archive and play it for Offertory sometime, perhaps making the words available to you. Back to my yard! As I’ve gained endurance and strength the last four months, I’ve been able to actually enjoy rehabbing small areas of my yard a chunk at a time. My yard has become my own little garden of prayer! Now, you need to understand that other than mowing, most of my life I’ve found almost no joy or reward in caring for flower beds and a garden. At its best, it was a chore that needed doing! This summer’s endeavors have included digging around, through, and under almost forty years of “stuff”; like roots “gone astray” or bricks that have been buried at least thirty-years that we know of. It’s similar with how God has to periodically (daily) do some digging in, on, around or through me to improve my relationship with Him and others with whom I associate.
I’ve really enjoyed doing some envisioning of how things might be updated, upgraded, or tried for the first time. I’ve discovered that just because the owners in the seventies had a flowerbed in a spot, doesn’t mean it has to stay there! Sometimes God has to tell me that some things or a certain activity, lifestyle, type of music, or even some relationships no longer contribute positively to my current station in life. It doesn’t necessarily mean these were bad, but perhaps I now need to let go and just move on – typically resulting in something better!
Well, we’re about 500 words into this chat and I think you can see where I’m going with it! Here are some joys I’ve experienced in my own little garden of prayer already this year or that I anticipate enjoying before far fewer leaves need to be raked this fall! I’ve dreamed, implemented some designs, acquired some plants (both purchased and from friends), planted them, pampered them and the ground around them, waited (sometimes impatiently), celebrated new growth, pruned inappropriate growth, look forward to partaking of harvested veggies, and there needs to be the seasonal cleanup, so that next year can be even more fun and productive. My challenge for you? Go ahead, let your mind wander regarding what could happen to, with, and for, you – in your very own “Garden of Prayer”! The Master Gardener is patiently waiting to spend time with any of us and work with us – one little square foot at a time!
In case you’re wondering, the vacation was marvelous. I haven’t taken two Sundays off in a row in many many years. Linda and I enjoyed time together and, of course, enjoyed having Matthew and Camden camping with us part of the time. Jill remained at home doing some Mommy things and getting much needed rest. It’s good to be back, because I love what I do! Right now “what I do” is particularly pointed at implementing our fall Music Ministries’ activities here at St. Andrew’s.
Please read and listen to the information that will be published and spoken over the next several weeks. If you need more information about a function, any of the staff or elders will be glad to hook you up with the right person and resources. There’s “something special” for you here at St. Andrew’s throughout the year, every year – because you are “Special”!Have a great August! Work, play and rest safely – and be ready to get involved in September.
God Bless – Merle
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The Touch of the Master’s Hand
‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
“A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?”
“Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three…” But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.
“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice,
And going and gone,” said he…
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin…
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.
Myra B. Welch